Alan Parker, Film Director dead at 76.

[Maggot]

Sir Alan Parker, director of Bugsy Malone and Evita, dies aged 76

His many credits include Midnight Express, Mississippi Burning, The Commitments and Bugsy Malone.

www.bbc.co.uk

Bugsy Malone, Angel Heart, the Commitments. He was certainly versatile.

 

[Buddy Bradley]

RIP. Could never figure out what people saw in Bugsy Malone, but The Commitments and Fame were brilliant.

 

[MrSki]

I would say Midnight Express had the biggest influence on me. I have never been to Turkey.

Made some brilliant & varied films. RIP.

ETA plus his early work in advertising. Cinzano & Heineken adverts were some of the most memorable of my lifetime.

 

[Sprocket.]

I really enjoyed The Commitments but my favourite Alan Parker film is Angel Heart. Some very good and varied films.
Talented story teller.
RIP.

 

[krtek a houby]

When The Commitments was released in Ireland, it was an event. Never seen such a response to a film before. Round the clock showings, a genuine love for it.

By today's standards, it's tame and definitely of its time, but that's part of the charm.

Few years before, we'd seen Mississippi Burning in Streatham and that got quite a vocal reaction. A controversial film but so powerful to us kids.

 

[D'wards]

My favourite song from all the musicals

 

[Kaka Tim]

A long list of very very good films - angel heart, bugsy malone, commitments, mississippi burning, midnight express, fame - all of them full of highly memorable scenes and great performances. Lean, efficient, engaging story telling full of energy. Yep - he knew how to do his job. 76 isnt much of an age -go well Alan Parker - and thanks for the stories.

 

[yield]

I really enjoyed The Commitments but my favourite Alan Parker film is Angel Heart. Some very good and varied films.
Talented story teller.
RIP.

I love Angel Heart.

Rest in peace.

 

[blossie33]

I haven't seen many of his films but the Commitments is brilliant!
RIP

 

[krtek a houby]

Keep forgetting he directed The Wall, which I had on VHS for years but probably only watched it once or twice...

 

[Reno]

I think his best film are the family break up drama Shoot the Moon, Birdy and The Commitments, all a far less amped up than his more high profile films. I also still really like Fame, though the first half holds up better than the second. It's surprisingly tough for what's considered a musical aimed at a teen audience and the gormless remake showed that films like that can't be made in the 21st century anymore.

 

[marty21]

Made some great films RIP.

 

[Kaka Tim]

forgot about birdie and the wall. I dont think ive seen any of his films that i didnt enjoy or wouldnt be happy to watch again. Not many filmmakers you can say that about.

 

[not-bono-ever]

the wall showed that he could produce something watchable from utterly dreadful source material.

 

[krtek a houby]

I think his best film are the family break up drama Shoot the Moon, Birdy and The Commitments, all a far less amped up than his more high profile films. I also still really like Fame, though the first half holds up better than the second. It's surprisingly tough for what's considered a musical aimed at a teen audience and the gormless remake showed that films like that can't be made in the 21st century anymore.

Trust me, in Ireland The Commitments was akin to the 1979 visit from JP2...

You could not get away from it!

 

[Sasaferrato]

Don't forget Evita. A wonderful film.

 

[Streathamite]

Fantastic director, also loved Mississippi Burning. RIP

 

[The39thStep]

Angel Heart - a cool Micky O Rourke, the devil played by Di Nero and a gorgeous Charlotte Rampling in a private detective thriller. What isnt there to like ?

 

[Maggot]

the wall showed that he could produce something watchable from utterly dreadful source material.

I loved The Wall but haven't seen it for years and am worried that it has aged badly.

 

[Reno]

Trust me, in Ireland The Commitments was akin to the 1979 visit from JP2...

You could not get away from it!

That one was very popular, but it wasn't a big Hollywood film, like some of his others.

The prospect of an Alan Parker film wasn't something that got my pulse racing but unlike the other British film directors who came out of British advertising at the time (Adrian Lyne, Ridley & Tony Scott), he could do more small scale movies convincingly and turn down the gloss.

 

[circleline]

Midnight Express; John Hurt just so brilliant.

Also, 'gormless' - not heard that for years...

Much respect for Alan Parker. RIP

 

[D'wards]

Just watched Angel Heart, which i hadn't seen for nearly 30 years.
As soon as it started I remembered the ending, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was perfectly directed, and DoPed too.

Rourke was brilliant and handsome, Bonet was beautiful and charming and De Niro just the right side of hammy but very sinister.

 

[krtek a houby]

Just watched Angel Heart, which i hadn't seen for nearly 30 years.
As soon as it started I remembered the ending, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was perfectly directed, and DoPed too.

Rourke was brilliant and handsome, Bonet was beautiful and charming and De Niro just the right side of hammy but very sinister.

Didn't Bill Cosby admonish her for putting her wholesome family image at risk by appearing in the film?

 

[D'wards]

Didn't Bill Cosby admonish her for putting her wholesome family image at risk by appearing in the film?

Sounds all too feasible